For lighter weight women, the All-Mountain West genre is probably the best place to shop for a powder ski, as it will deliver plenty of buoyancy without getting so fat that tipping it becomes a chore. The Salomon Q-96 Lumen is a wise choice as a second pair of skis for someone who plans to deploy them primarily in powder and wants a ski that will make skiing this condition inherently less challenging.  They’re built to produce rhythmic, round turns under subtle pressure, stitching together consecutive comma-shaped tracks of the sort most advanced skiers strive to sew in soft, knee-high snow.

The most aggro gals will probably overpower the Lumen, particularly on harder snow, but that needn’t deter the lighter lass for whom the Lumen is ideally suited.  In its element, the Q-96 is a user-friendly, relaxing ride that feels effortless to steer, a trait you’ll appreciate if you plan on skiing powder all day.